Irene Market

Last Saturday we went to this incredible market with Lee's boss and his wife, Eric and Lisa.  Irene Market (pronounced Irene-ee) is not too far from here, but you have to get up really early to get there before the crowds.  There are about 300 vendors all winding through this shaded area out in the middle of what seems like nowhere.  We took Rugby along so she could get out and about since she doesnt get to do that much.  And she was the star of the show.  Everyone loved her and wanted to stop and as about her and pet her.  She loved every minute of the attention, as always.

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As soon as we got there, we had to run to the Egg vendor.  Eric and Lisa told us about these eggs, and said that if you dont get there first thing, they will be gone.  So you show up, pay for your eggs and then they give you a number so you can come back and get them after you walk around.  But let me tell you, these eggs are HUGE!  Twice the size of normal eggs and they all have double yolks.  And I think they are pretty.  Cant wait to make deviled eggs and dyed Easter eggs with these monsters.

One of these eggs is not like the other...

Irene market egg on left, normal egg on right

 You could spend hours and hours here.  But I was a bit nervous because it was a pretty hot day.  Luckily, you are shaded by these enormous trees.  Doesnt look much like Africa, huh?

There were things here for every person.  Antiques, African crafts, artwork, purses, beautiful African wood pepper mills, clothing, etc.  They even had an area for camel rides!  Unfortunately a lot of the vendors dont want you to take pictures of their things.  Then there is a section of prepared foods where you can sit for lunch and eat from any of the many vendors.  We bought some veggie spring rolls to eat as we walked and man they tasted good!  I could have eaten 10.  I wanted to get a pancake (which is what they call Crepes) with strawberries and nutella.  But I opted for the mixed berry smoothie instead and it was a nice refresher. 

African musician

Just like NYC.  If you want a pic, you have to pay

The last section we walked through was the food area where you can buy any kind of cheese, fresh fruit juice, fresh baked breads, spices galore, etc.  We didnt spend much time there because we had to wait so long for our smoothies, but I will spend some more time next weekend or whenever we go again.  I did buy a beautiful herbed foccacia that we had with dinner the next day and was very good.  We also bought some spices (Madagascar Cinnamon and a House Blend of Meat & Veggie Rub).  We used the meat rub on our chicken and it has a very different flavor, but I really liked it.  The spice guy was really nice and let me take pics of the bagfuls of spices on the table.  I felt like I was in India!      **I am a bit upset, because on my computer the spice pics are very vibrant.  For some reason they arent showing up that way on the blog.  But I promise, they were beautiful.**

This one is for you mom!  Lee wished he knew about this for your Birthday book letter.  It would have fit nicely with his theme.  Although I hear there is a spice where we are going this weekend called "Mother-in-Law Exterminator!"

Aside from that, we some distressed frames that were old window panes and a rusted sign that says "Familie" in cursive.  That means family in Afrikaans and we thought it would be cool to hang in our house.

So we are out and exploring the sights, getting to know what kinds of goods they have here so we can start deciding what keepsakes we want from here.  I could have bought a million things.  But we are hopefully going to Durban this weekend and supposedly they are known for their crafts and African souvenirs.  So many we will find some good things there.  If not, Irene is open every other Satr